A guide to cheese shops in Beaujolais.

Cheese Shops in Beaujolais

Fromagerie La Mère Richard ★ 4.7

Lyon 3e (Part-Dieu)Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7h30 to 19h; Wednesday and Sunday 7h30 to 12h; closed MondaySaint-Marcellin and Saint-Félicien, its early specialities, plus Rigotte de Condrieu, Picodon and other Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes cheesesAffineur

Founded in 1965 by Renée Richard, known as La Mère Richard, and at the Halles since 1971. Its page names Saint-Marcellin and Saint-Félicien as specialities and Paul Bocuse among the clients who built its name.

Fromagerie Mons Villefranche ★ 4.4

Villefranche-sur-Saône (Beaujolais)Tuesday to Friday 8h30 to 12h30 and 15h to 19h; Saturday 8h30 to 13h and 14h30 to 19h; Sunday 8h30 to 12h; closed MondayCheeses selected and aged by Maison Mons, plus the local Bleu du PasseloupAffineur

Shop of the Mons house of affineurs on the rue Nationale, selling cheeses selected and aged by Hervé Mons, among them the local Bleu du Passeloup.

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Cheese Shops in Beaujolais, FAQ

Is cervelle de canut really brains?

No. The Observatoire des produits du terroir says it is not an offal but a specialty based on fromage blanc; the name comes from the canuts, the Lyon silk workers, for whom it was an important food.

What is it made of?

Fromage blanc beaten with a spatula, then finely chopped shallots, parsley, chervil and chives, oil, vinegar, wine, salt and pepper, and whipped cream folded in, per the Observatoire's recipe. French Wikipedia says fresh goat's cheese can also go in.

What else is it called?

Claqueret and tomme daubée, according to French Wikipedia, which says claqueret comes from beating (claquer) the cheese and that the dish derives from the older Lyon sarasson.

Which wine goes with it?

The Observatoire lists Beaujolais AOC and Coteaux-du-Lyonnais reds. French Wikipedia's article on Lyon cuisine says the bouchons serve their specialities, cervelle de canut among them, with a glass of beaujolais or côtes-du-rhône. The French Wikipedia article on cervelle de canut itself suggests a white wine, Chardonnay.

What do you eat it with?

Toasted bread, according to French Wikipedia; the Observatoire des produits du terroir adds potatoes and other root vegetables and warm buckwheat waffles.

Which wine goes with it?

French Wikipedia quotes the Inventaire du patrimoine culinaire de la France, Rhône-Alpes: in Lyon's bouchons the pot sat at the corner of the bar and was spread on toasted bread, accompanied by a beaujolais. The Observatoire lists Chénas among the reds.

Is it protected?

No. It has no protected name, and French Wikipedia says the ingredients seem fairly variable, though there is a common core.

Is Arôme de Lyon protected?

No. French Wikipedia lists it as unprotected.

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